Shopping

It's hard to miss this San Antonio landmark, as the 30-by-60-foot American flag that gracing the front of the building is an eye-catching sight. This family-owned shop has been making flags for businesses and individuals since 1958, offering everything from banners for theme parks to the flag that flies in front of the Alamo. The store has a huge selection of flags in stock, and custom orders are available in any size and in several fabric styles. Don't miss the historical flag collection. Flags from throughout Texas' and America's history are available at reasonable prices, and you will also find replica flags for sale should you be on a tighter budget. The store carries world flags and banners for schools and religious use as well.

Located on Grayson Street in the Westford, Bakery Lorraine is known for its wonderful confections and pastries. Choose from a range of flavored muffins, macaroons, croissants, scones and many more, everything here is absolutely delish! For some awesome handmade baked goodies, head here.

This groovy little bookstore in Alamo Heights buys and sells books, magazines, CDs, LPs, tapes, videos and software. Everything is sold for at least half off the list price and the sale items practically define the word "bargain." The store has three other locations, but this one has a particularly nice selection of magazines. Not to be outdone by Borders or Barnes and Noble, Half-Price Books offers seating (the floor), background music (the latest CD they purchased) and free coffee. They also work with anti-illiteracy groups, sponsor a children's summer reading program and offer a home decorating program called "Books by the Yard."

In operation since 1971, this store offers quality antiques from the New York City market. The pieces are displayed in a refurbished 1929 apartment complex, which creates the perfect showcase. You can find French, Italian, Spanish and French Parisian pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries, along with accessories to compliment each item. This store also offers a large selection of lampshades such as sheepskin varieties by Foss and fabric Mica ones by Rose Art.

Almost hidden behind a Wendy's fast-food restaurant, this gem of a bookstore is packed with an eclectic array of books, with something to delight everyone. As it specializes in used, rare and hard-to-find editions, the most avid bibliophile could spend hours wandering among the stacks. And that's fine, since lingering is never discouraged—it could take that long just to mentally absorb the inventory!

Acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitars, violins, amps, keyboards, drums, rack gear, studio gear, cases, new stuff, used stuff and vintage stuff—you name it, and this store has it—or at least they will get it. Krazy Kat Music sells and buys musical equipment and accessories with an emphasis on catering to customers' specific needs. If you are interested in buying a particular product or model, check out the shop's web site for a listing of prices and availability. If you don't see what you want, tell them. The staff keeps a customer wish list for any item the store doesn't have, but should. You can even suggest what the wish list item's price should be. The staff recommends that you call them to check on product availability before driving to their location. It saves time.

This bookstore offers high-quality books for the discerning reader. As an independent bookseller, it specializes in books from local authors and carries an awesome inventory of Texana books and regional literature. Frequent book signings and dedicated customer service make this book store one of the most pleasant destinations for the book-lover. Special orders are available and expert advice from the staff will help you choose the perfect book.

Located next door to the Twig Book Shop and owned by the same people, this children's book store offers a superb selection of the finest books for kids. Newberry award winners are only the beginning, as every book is selected for excellence and quality. The Reading Grannies offer story times throughout the week and author signings are a frequent occurrence. The store also offers a special selection of autographed books from many of children's favorite authors. Books from regional authors are available as well, many of them Texas Bluebonnet Award winners.

Just across the street from the Alamo, this rustic shop holds some of the treasures and memories of yore. Antique maps and books are only the beginning, as it also stocks a good deal of modern history books dealing with the Civil War and Texas history. Browse through the titles and be sure to ask the owner about the merchandise the stories behind the treasures are often as interesting as the items themselves. The owner also offers book and document restoration and does genealogical research for those interested in their Texan roots.

As far as shopping malls go, this one is beautiful. Set right on the River Walk and attached to the Marriott River Center hotel, this mall is a dining, shopping and entertainment mecca. Although anchored by Foley's, Dillard's and an AMC movie theater, the mall offers scores of specialty shops and gift stores, as well as one of the largest parking garages downtown. Musical groups and dance troupes perform nightly during the summer months at the lagoon in the middle of the mall. Visitors can also board barges for tours of the River Walk from the lower level.

With three floors of an enormous old office building dedicated to antiques and collectibles of all sorts, you will find exactly what you are looking for or what you aren't. From glassware and Fiestaware to Lone Ranger lunch boxes and 50s-era ladies' hats, the prices are reasonable and the quality quite good. Even if you're just browsing, this antique mall provides a fun nostalgia trip.

This downtown shop, just around the corner from the real Alamo, specializes in hard-to-find 78rpm, 45rpm and 33rpm records, making it a must-see for the serious music collector. From the Beatles to Elvis, it caters to those with a yearning for the past and an appreciation of good tunes. It also stocks a good selection of vinyl LP records in classical, jazz, rock and blues. There are compact discs for modern technophiles, too. A choice selection of sheet music is available. Drop by and talk to the owner he buys and trades used records as well.